Please pick up a copy of the "Monomyth Writing Assignment--Style Tip #1" document from the front table.

--after a purposeful oral reading of the document, complete the "Your Task" section quietly and independently--share out via a drawing of cards (You may exercise your right to pass!)

Transition (2-3 mins.)--Take out your copy of the "Preparation for Final Discussion" document from two classes ago.--We are going to form today's circle alphabetically by the first names of our Kings of Salem.--Form a circle out of the desks.

Circle Discussion (Novella Closure) -- The Alchemist up to the End (up until 5 mins. remaining)

Definite items for discussion:

First, we will apply the monomyth template to The Alchemist and address the "so what?!" question, potentially connecting the novella to our own lives (a continuation of three classes ago).

Potential items for the remainder of discussion:

Active/purposeful reading notes

Paulo Coelho "writing what he knows"--applying author background to The Alchemist

What is magical realism? What are magical realist authors "up to"?

How does Coelho's The Alchemist "fit the magical realism bill", so to speak?

Application of new terms/concepts (e.g., dilemma, fable, foil) to the novella

For example, you might attempt to answer this question: What characters in the novella serve as foils to each other? How so? What is Coelho's potential purpose?

What is Paulo Coelho's "thesis" about human nature as per the story he tells?

If Coelho were to sit down and have a conversation with William Golding, how would it "play out"? Who would argue what? How would each counter?

If Coelho were to sit down and have a conversation with George Orwell, how would it "play out"? Who would argue what? How would each counter?

--engage in discussion as per the protocol--contributions will be assessed via the "Discussion Contribution Rating Scale"

Transition (1-2 mins.)--Re-column the desks and pick up an index card from the front table.

You must include a properly punctuated nonrestrictive element within your writing. Good luck!

HW (Practice/Take-Home Assessment)

--Complete 45 minutes of Membean training as directed before 11:59 PM on Thursday, 5/4. If you fail to appropriately train between now and the administration of Vocabulary Quiz #6, you will not be permitted to take the quiz until you catch up (see the "Membean Routine" document).HW (Class Preparation)--Remember that I reserve the right to conduct a reading assessment at any time. It would be in your best interest to continuously review your reading notes for The Alchemist and any related materials. Remember, too, that you are expected to both understand and apply your understandings of certain terms/concepts to your reading of the novella (in addition to the typical terms/concepts such as setting, symbolism, theme, etc.): allegory, allusion, aphorism, Christ(ological) figure, Coelho's "Four Obstacles" Philosophy, dilemma, everyman, fable, foil, genre, geography, interior monologue, leitmotif, literary blindness, literary communion, literary vampire, magical realism, marked for greatness, monomyth (hero's journey), motif, myth, paradox, and quest. A sample assessment question/prompt, then, might look like the following:

How is Paulo Coelho's novella The Alchemist a blending of several literary modes/genres? Consider using any or all of the following terms in your response: genre, allegory, fable, and magical realism. What is one likely purpose Coelho was looking to fulfill when he decided to tell such a story?

--Aim to read at least 5-10 pages of your free reading book between now and next class. ALWAYS BRING YOUR FREE READING BOOK TO CLASS!--Your "Monomyth Writing Assignment" is tentatively due on Wednesday, 5/3. Please plan accordingly, especially bearing in mind today's Q & A and Writing Workshop block.--Work on the End-of-Course Assignment--you do not want to wait too long to get started on this!

On the backburner:

Paraphrasing Mini-Lesson as preparation for culminating assignment (based on observations while assessing the "Reading Nonfiction Document"s)